FAQs

Bookings

When do Christmas/Easter/School Holiday periods open for bookings?

Bookings for Christmas/Easter/School Holiday periods will be release approx 12 months in advance. Sign up to our Happy Camper E-Newsletter to find out when.

What are the peak period dates?

Peak periods are all designated Queensland school holidays including the Easter long weekend. You can check specific dates and availability for each individual campground here.

Getting Here

How do I get to North Stradbroke Island?

You need to catch either a vehicle ferry or a water taxi (passenger ferry) from Toondah Harbour in Cleveland. It is important to always book your vehicle ferry, as spaces are limited. There is no need to book your water taxi.

How do I book my vehicle ferry? How much does it cost? How long is the ferry trip?

You can book the vehicle ferry online at Stradbroke Ferries. Prices are available on the website, but start from $55 one-way for a standard family car. The vehicle ferry takes approximately 50min, and they request you arrive approximately 20 minutes prior to your departure time.

How do I get to Cleveland from the M1 (Freeway).

Take exit 22 on the Gateway Motorway and follow the signs to Cleveland.

Where is Toondah Harbour?

At the end of Middle Street Cleveland – follow the signs to Toondah Harbour.

Where do I catch the water taxi? What does it cost?

Two water taxi services operate from Toondah Harbour, Cleveland, and take approximately 25min to reach the Island. The two services travel to different locations in Dunwich.

The Stradbroke Flyer travels to One Mile Jetty at Yabby Street, Dunwich, next to the Little Ship Club. The Stradbroke Ferries water taxi docks at Harold Walker Jetty, Dunwich. You can also travel on the vehicle ferry as a walk on passenger.

Prices can be found on their respective websites.

Do I need a car to come to North Straddie?

You do not need a vehicle to travel to Straddie.

Stradbroke Island Buses meet most water taxis (please note that it does not meet vehicle ferries) arriving at Dunwich, and travel to Point Lookout. You can bring your bicycle, and your dog on both the water taxi and on the island buses.

Is there a bus service or taxi service? What is the contact number?

Stradbroke Island Buses meet most water taxis (it does not meet the vehicle ferries) arriving at Dunwich, and travel to Point Lookout.There are limited bus service to Amity Point. There are no bus services to Brown Lake or Blue Lake. North Stradbroke Island Cab Service can be contacted on 0408 193 685.

Does the Island bus service meet the water taxi?

Yes as above.

Camping Grounds

How big are the campsites?

Unpowered and foreshore sites are all 6m X 6m. Powered sites in the Camping Grounds vary in size from 6m X 6m to 9m X 10m. If you require assistance with a site size when booking, please call us.

How many people can I fit on one campsite?

You can have a maximum of 6 people per site, all children and infants included.

How old do you have to be to stay in the campgrounds?

All guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult such as a parent, step-parent, guardian or other adult who has parental rights and responsibilities for the under 18 year old guest.

What are the check in and check out times?

Are there BBQ’s /camp kitchens (fridges) that I can use at the camping grounds?

Yes there are BBQs, both wood and electric at all camping grounds except Bradbury’s Beach which only has a wood BBQ. There are outdoor undercover camp kitchens (electric BBQ's, sinks, power points, tables & chairs) at the Adder Rock and Amity Point Camping Grounds, however there are no public use fridges at any of the campgrounds.

Does the camping ground have a swimming pool?

There are no pools at our Camping Grounds, but each property has direct beach access.

Adder Rock & Flinders Beach are patrolled: December / January school holidays ONLY 8am to 6pm.

Do you have powered waterfront sites?

Yes. Amity Point and Bradbury’s Beach Camping Grounds also have powered sites with views to Moreton Bay and beautiful evening sunsets. Home Beach Camping Ground has powered sites with water views.

Does Cylinder Beach Camping Ground have Cabins?

No, our cabins are located at the Amity Point and Adder Rock Camping Grounds.

Which are the best camping grounds for children?

All the Camping Grounds are family friendly, however Amity Point faces the calm waters of Moreton Bay.

Can I use a generator at the Camping Grounds?

No. Generators are only allowed in the beach camping areas of Flinders Beach and Main Beach between 7am and 9pm.

Can I bring my dog when I come camping on North Straddie? Where are the off leash areas?

You can bring two dogs per campsite to the beach camping areas of Flinders Beach and Main Beach. Dogs are not allowed in the township Camping Grounds. Dogs must stay on a leash at all times, even whilst on the beaches.

There are two off leash areas on the Island: • Home Beach – (between Rocky Point and Rocky Headland in front of Point Lookout Hotel) • Skatebowl Park, Barton Street in Dunwich (between the skate bowl and the fenced off area)

Beach Camping

Can we camp anywhere on the beach?

Camping is only allowed in designated camping areas.

To access these areas you must use the designated tracks. On Main Beach there are 15 access tracks, starting 7km south of the causeway access. These are marked with numbered signs.

On Flinders Beach there are 12 access tracks starting approximately 1.5km from the Adder Rock Beach access along to the Amity Point Beach Access.

Can we pay the Beach Ranger for extra people, as we are unsure how many people will be staying and for how long?

You must book and pay for your campsite before you access the beach camping areas, or set up camp. Should extra people arrive you will need to contact our Dunwich Booking Centre to book them in and pay for their camping.

Do the beach camping areas have toilets & showers?

There are no facilities on the beaches except at Flinders Beach which has limited composting toilets at Tracks 3,5 & 7.

Where are the composting toilets at Flinders Beach?

Tracks 3,5 & 7.

Where can I have a shower if I camp at Main Beach or Flinders Beach?

Shower Access Cards are available for purchase, which will allow you to use the shower facilities at Adder Rock Camping Grounds. These cards should be purchased between 8am and 4pm at the Booking Office or at Adder Rock.

Where can I empty my chemical toilet?

Track 5 along Flinders Beach has a facility to empty chemical toilets.

Can I access the Flinders Beach & Main Beach camping areas without a 4WDrive?

It is possible but we do not recommend it. It is a long walk and you must carry all your camping gear, your own firewood and water, and be able to take any rubbish with you when you leave.

Can I light fires for cooking or just to keep warm?

Fires are only permitted on the foreshore camping areas, depending on whether or not there is a fire ban in place. You are allowed a small cooking fire only, which must be watched at all times, and extinguished with water (not sand) after use. You can not have a fire to keep warm or a bonfire of any sort.

Can I cut down trees for firewood?

No. You must not use or damage any island vegetation, even driftwood. If you wish to have a fire you must bring your own firewood.

Can I buy firewood on the Island?

You can buy firewood from 2 Mile on the way to Point Lookout. Approximately 3km along the road to Point Lookout on the left hand side and opposite the bus depot, there is a trailer on the road with a ‘Firewood’ sign.

Can I use a brazier?

Yes only on the foreshore and only for cooking. It must be extinguished with water.

Can I have a bonfire on the beach?

No, strictly no fires on the beach – penalties apply.

Can I get ice in the Beach Camping areas?

Bob's Ice travels along the Flinders Beach Camping tracks every morning during school holidays selling ice. They also hire mobile cold rooms, which can be used in the Beach Camping areas. They can be generator operated, and do not have to be turned on all night. Call Harold on 0408-746-117.

Driving & 4WDriving

Can I drive a normal car to your Camping Grounds or do I need a 4WD?

You do not need a 4WD to access the township Camping Grounds as there are sealed roads to Point Lookout and Amity Point. You will need a 4WDrive to access the beach camping areas of Flinders Beach and Main Beach and for this you will need a Vehicle Access Permit.

How do I purchase a Vehicle Access Permit (VAP) for the beaches?

You can purchase a Vehicle Access Permit online, and collect it from our Reservations Office in Dunwich – Mon-Sat; 08:00-16:00.

Where can I purchase a 4WD Vehicle Access Permit outside of office hours?

Do you need a beach permit to access Flinders Beach if you are only using the back tracks in a normal car?

The back tracks to Flinders Beach are 4WDrive access only, and for this you will need a Vehicle Access Permit.

What happens if I get bogged on the beach? Who do I call for help?

You can call RACQ and another service is Towing & Breakdowns on 0428 288 128. Rangers are not permitted to assist with bogged vehicles for insurance reasons.

Activities

Are there any organised activities on North Stradbroke Island?

There are a number of tour and activity providers. See our Do & See page for a comprehensive list.

Is there Whale Watching on Straddie? When do the whales go by?

Humpback whales can be seen migrating past Point Lookout between May to November each year. They are wild animals so we cannot guarantee that you will see them, but you will have the best chance from the North Gorge Walk at Point Lookout.

Where can I snorkel/scuba dive?

Where can you hire kayaks?

See the Attractions section for a list of activity providers and hirers.

Where can you hire camping equipment, bicycles, scooters, hire cars?

Camping trailers and equipment are available from Camper Trailer Hire. Car Hire is available from both Pandanus Palms Resort and The Islander at Point Lookout. Bicycles can be hired from Dunwich Sports and Hobbies in Dunwich, the Manta Lodge opposite Adder Rock Gold Coast, or Fishes Cafe at Point Lookout. If you are taking your own bicycle to the Island, you need to travel with it on the vehicle ferry as bicycles are not permitted on the water taxi or on the local bus service.

How long does it take to walk into Blue Lake? Can you drive in?

It is a 5.2km return walk to Blue Lake from the car park. There is no vehicle access to Blue Lake itself as it is in a National Park. We suggest that you wear comfortable walking shoes, take a hat and water.

How do I get into the keyholes?

The Department of Natural Resources and Mines has advised that the sand track (Fisherman's Track) accessing the keyholes have been closed to the public. Please refer to the maps here.

How far is it to walk from Adder Rock to Main Beach, or to the Point Lookout Gorge Walk?

Approximately 3.5km and is a 40 minute walk along beach.

How far is it to drive from Dunwich to Amity Point, or Dunwich to Point Lookout?

Dunwich to Amity Point is 16.5km, and is about a 15 minute drive. Dunwich to Point Lookout is 18km about a 15 to 20 minute drive.

How far is it from Point Lookout Surf Life Saving Club to Jumpinpin (Main Beach)?

38 kilometres along the beach. You will need a 4WD vehicle.

What are the green zones in the marine park?

Green zones provide the greatest level of protection in the marine park. Just like a national park in the water, these areas are ‘no-take areas’ of high conservation value. Anyone can enter and undertake activities such as boating, snorkeling and sailing, however all forms of take, including fishing, collecting or extracting, are prohibited.

These areas are quite extensive and can be found on the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing website. The Department manages the marine park as a multi-use marine protected area. Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service (QPWS) a business unit of DERM is responsible for the day-to-day management of the marine park.

Where is the best place to see wildlife?

Wildlife can be seen all over the Island. Amity Point Camping Ground is home to a resident koala, and dolphins play in the waters in front of the campground, and flocks of pelicans visit daily. Kangaroos can be seen in the campgrounds and on the beaches at Flinders Beach and Main Beach. The Gorge Walk is a particularly good place from which to view marine life which include dolphins, loggerhead turtles, manta rays, and whales. Kangaroos feed on the headlands at dawn and dusk. There are loads of sea birds if you look to the skies.